quintessential

adjective

ˌkwin-tə-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce quintessential (audio)
Definition of quintessentialnext
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated Helen of Troy was supposedly the quintessential beauty of the ancient world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of quintessential The gorgeous suede and leather Signature Woven Tote and the quintessential fall glove flats. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026 This quintessential college campus from the 19th century is where a group of business, college and government leaders is working on the task of reinventing higher education for the 21st century. — Jon Marcus, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Over time, the fan’s association with flamenco helped turn it into a quintessential Spanish symbol. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 And Dean will be the quintessential Mike, commanding the defense as the green dot. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quintessential
  1. classic
  2. exemplary
  3. perfect
  4. archetypal
  5. definitive
  6. excellent
Adjective
  • This is, in a lot of ways, a classic affair allegations gone too far.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Leaning into a classic French brasserie menu, the restaurant will be open for all-day service from breakfast through late-night cocktails.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of classic
Adjective
  • Often referred to as the Nobel Prize of the Arts, the Praemium Imperiale recognizes exemplary achievements by artists around the world working in painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and theater and film.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026
  • All told, Trinity Valley must pay Skains just over $10 million intended to cover harm to her mental health and reputation, unpaid wages and benefits, and exemplary damages, according to the verdict.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of exemplary
Adjective
  • The pass the Netherlands forward wrapped into Alexander Isak’s feet was perfect.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Hoosiers have won 17 straight games, the longest active winning streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and are a perfect 16-0 at home under Cignetti.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of perfect
Adjective
  • Instead, the company has replaced it with another fall flavor in a clear sign that the archetypal fall flavor of the 2010s is changing with the warming globe.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
  • This certainly looked like an archetypal case of a company’s size leaving consumers worse off—precisely what our antitrust laws are designed to prevent.
    — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of archetypal
Adjective
  • Yet after the definitive collapse of the Islamic State’s territorial project, in most places the idea of global jihad lost its former appeal.
    — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The researchers stress that the experiment does not identify one definitive pairing mechanism.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of definitive
Adjective
  • Lampard felt his players deserved a point after creating several excellent chances.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Picturesque views of the surrounding Casco Bay are abundant, and its consistently excellent food scene has made the city a culinary hot spot for the ages.
    — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of excellent

Browse Nearby Words

quintessences
quintessential
quintet
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Cite this Entry

“Quintessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessential. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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